Footloose in Vietnam?

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 000388 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KTIP KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB VM SUBJECT: Footloose in Vietnam? HANOI 00000388 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In its latest attempt to clamp down on illegal behavior at karaoke bars, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST) has drafted a decree that would ban dancing at the popular singing clubs. The proposed regulations were posted on MOCST's website, which says it is trying to discourage the use of the designer drug ecstasy and to prevent prostitution. It is not immediately clear, however, how a prohibition against dancing would contribute to either goal, and the proposed decree has been derided on Vietnam's on-line blogs. The decree is available for comment until April 30, 2009 and is on track to go into effect in September ¶2009. End summary. Calling Kevin Bacon - Vietnam Needs You! -------------- ¶2. (U) The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST) posted the proposed ban on its website and invited public comment on the move. According to Mr. Le Anh Tuyen, Director of the Ministry's Legal Department, karaoke is a cultural activity closely connected with "social evils," particularly drug use and prostitution. In an interview posted on MOCST's website, Tuyen cited (unspecified) "statistics" showing that besides singing into a microphone, a large number of people actually rent karaoke rooms to use ecstasy, drink alcohol, and ... dance. "In our country, karaoke often goes with ecstasy and prostitution," he explained, adding (somewhat incongruously),"The function of karaoke bars is for singing, not for dancing. The ban for dancing in karaoke bar is to limit the use of ecstasy pills." Tuyen said that any dance in a karaoke bar would violate the proposed ban but "behavior with less danger to society" -- such as simply moving to the beat of a song, presumably without using ecstasy -- would not be considered a violation. Violators found to be actually dancing would face fines, although the amount has not been specified. ¶3. (U) Mr. Tuyen acknowledged that dancing is a broad term. The draft decree does not, for example, specify where rhythmic swaying stops and dancing begins and is silent on whether one can dance while seated. Tuyen emphasized that inspectors would have discretion to decide whether a patron's movement constitutes dancing and, if so, the severity of the violation. "If people dance but do not play music too loud, do not drink alcohol, and do not shout, inspectors may reduce their level of violation." Jump Back -------------- ¶4. (U) In May 2005, the Vietnamese government temporary halted the licensing of new discotheques, bars and karaoke lounges, and called on relevant ministries to take measures to deal with "social evils" such as prostitution and heroin usage taking place in these types of recreational establishments. The order was rapidly rescinded, however, following a groundswell of public opinion, in particular from young people. In 2006, the government banned alcohol in karaoke bars, but in practice, drinking alcoholic beverages continues. In a February 19 press conference, a spokesman from the Department of Social Evils Prevention, under the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, warned that drug use and prostitution in bars, karaoke lounges, and discos were both forecast to rise in 2009, primarily due to the economic downturn. Vietnam currently houses 5,000 licensed karaoke lounges and 100 discotheques, according to statistics from the Ministry of Culture and Information. Dancing in the Sheets -------------- ¶5. (U) Tuyen emphasized that an earlier draft called for all karaoke clubs to be shut down, stating that many serve as brothels. And, in fact, while karaoke is a widely popular form of recreation, certain karaoke bars are frequented by female sex workers, many of whom dance with prospective clients before departing the karaoke establishment to complete the transaction elsewhere. Some karaoke bars also offer illegal dance performances, acting as fronts for prostitution. While specific data are hard to come by, NGO contacts put the number of prostitutes in Vietnam at approximately 300,000. Let's Dance! -------------- ¶6. (U) Somewhat strangely, while the draft decree bans dancing in karaoke bars, it allows karaoke bars and discos at luxury hotels in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to stay open two hours later, moving the closing time from 12 midnight to 2 am. With visitor arrivals in Vietnam dropping during the global economic crisis, the move is designed to attract more tourists, Tuyen said, adding that a large percentage of tourists wish to go to karaoke bars late at night. Vietnamese citizens can also go to late night karaoke bars; however, Tuyen stated that as "Vietnamese generally have to rest for work the HANOI 00000388 002.2 OF 002 next day, we consider 12 am suitable for regular karaoke establishments." "It doesn't mean there is no possibility of social evils in luxury hotels, but we are trying to meet tourist demand," Tuyen said, perhaps more forthrightly than he intended. It is not clear if the ban on dancing would also apply to karaoke bars in luxury hotels. Kick Off Your Sunday Shoes -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Regardless of the intended target, the draft decree was met with skepticism, at least on-line. Those quoted by the Vietnam Express news website, for example, derided the proposal. "Who can monitor, and who can define what is called dancing," asked one resident. Another praised visiting karaoke bars as a way to release stress and lamented that "It will be boring if you enter a karaoke bar, sitting in one place to sing songs." Pointing out the irony of banning dancing at karaoke bars to prevent drug use and prostitution while allowing extended hours at similar establishments in luxury hotels, one blogger bluntly surmised that "maybe the government is hoping to encourage foreign tourists to support the local economy by spending money on drugs and prostitutes." Another blogger helpfully suggested two additional steps: A) Authorities should focus on "shaking" (slang similar to "the shakes," that refers to dancing while on drugs),by paying attention to head nodding or swinging, but permitting the cha cha, rumba, or tango, as appropriate to the music. B) To prevent prostitution, all women entering a karaoke bar must be accompanied by boyfriend or husband; an official inspector will check her certificate of marriage or certificate proving girlfriend or boyfriend-ship. ¶8. (U) The most trenchant comment was also the most direct: "I notice that if the authorities cannot control or manage something, they ban it," one blogger noted, "Why don't they enforce the ban on selling, transporting, and using drugs, but allow dancing in karaoke bars?" ¶9. (U) This cable was coordinated with ConGen Ho Chi Minh City. MICHALAK